(NBC News) President Obama is expected to ask Congress for $2-billion in emergency funding to help deal with the crisis at the border.

The funding request comes amid growing concern about the welfare of thousands of children who’ve crossed the border alone, and about the cost of keeping them here.

Today President Obama will formally ask Congress for $2-billion for more judges and legal aid, to begin deportations, and for detention facilities to house the influx of immigrants from Central America – facilities the president hasn’t yet seen for himself.

Dspite the circumstances back home, the White House doubts the children will qualify for humanitarian relief.